By; ABUBAKAR SADIQ, Maiduguri
Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has Thursday announced the allocation of 259 houses to the Nigeria Police Force officers and men from the thousands of housing estate being constructed the state government when completed.
The governor also announced the release of N110 million to the Nigerian Police Force in the state as contribution to the financial capacity of the newly commissioned NPF Microfinance branch in Maiduguri.
Zulum who made the announcement during the commissioning of Borno’s branch of the Nigerian Police Force Microfinance Bank (NPFM Bank) explained that the allocation of the over 259 houses to the police was meant to compensate the state command for government’s use of some portions of land belonging to the police, for development of some infrastructure in the state capital.
While on the donation of N110 million, the governor said that, 50% of money which amounts to N55m, is Borno’s contribution as share deposit aimed at enhancing the bank’s operations at the starting stage.
The rest of the amount of N55m, Zulum said is to be used in supporting families of police personnel in two ways.
The first way, the governor explained that N25 million is to be shared to families of police personnel who died in active service while the balance of N30 million, should be deposited into a credit services account for the purpose of supporting policewomen serving across Borno State.
Zulum further ordered that the money be deposited in an account dedicated to educational needs of children left behind by the fallen police heroes/personnel.
Zulum also commended IGP Baba Usman Alkali for unveiling the Born state branch of the NPF Microfinance bank which he said, indicated the IGP’s prioritization of police welfare.
The Microfinance bank is designed to provide financial services to aid small and medium enterprises for police families, their affiliates and civilians in Borno State.
In his remarks before the commissioning, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba Alkali, described Governor Zulum’s support to the Nigeria Police Force as enormous a d commendable
He also disclosed that the microfinance bank has strength of about N30 billion take up cash with presently 50 branches in 30 states of the federation including FCT Abuja.
IGP Usman further assured the federal government plans to enhance the welfare of the policemen to motivate them while at work and provide more working tools and equipment to boost police operations nation wide among other incentives like promotion in recognition of police personnel performance.
He also revealed that about 5,000 anti terrorists police personnel have been recruited and trained for Borno State and its environs to compliment the efforts if the Nigerian Military Operation Hadin Kai in the state.
“Your Excellency, we want to thank you for the logistics the state command is getting to function effectively in crime prevention and control. I am aware that the only state that got six armoured personnel carriers and handed them over to the police is Borno State.
“We want to sincerely thank you for taking our trouble, for being kind to us, for being generous to us, for coming to our assistance in terms of providing welfare and working tools”, Usman said.
The governor alongside the IGP, the bank’s board members and some top police officers, unveiled the branch through symbolic cutting of the tape to commission the new Borno State NPF Microfinance bank branch located beside the NPF Headquarters along Old Jos road Maiduguri.
The IGP was accompanied to the event by the Board Chairman of the microfinance bank, Azubuko Joel Udah, the bank’s Managing Director, Mr Akin Lawal and top police chiefs while Zulum went along with Secretary to Borno State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa and some members of Borno State Executive Council among other government officials.
